Arsenal legend Jens Lehmann insists Mikel Arteta's decision to replace goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya still "doesn't make sense".

Raya joined Arsenal on an initial loan deal from Brentford last summer and displaced Ramsdale as Arteta's first-choice goalkeeper, despite the England international being named in the Premier League Team of the Year last season.

Ramsdale is now expected to leave in the summer, having played just six games for Arsenal since Raya made his debut. And Lehmann, who was a key member of Arsenal's 'Invincibles' side, has criticised the move.

"I never ever understood the Ramsdale decision," said Lehmann. "If you have a good, brave English keeper at a big English club doing well and then you bring in a Spanish guy who has never played for a big club at that level – it just doesn't make sense.

"The 'keeper is the most important position in the team. If I were Ramsdale, I don't know how I would react because it's not easy at that age. When you're older, it's different."

And while Lehmann believes Arteta has "done a good job", he believes they must be "braver" if they want to win the Premier League.

"He's done a good job but unfortunately, you're talking to a guy who loves Arsenal, wants them to win and not just to be up there," he explained to The Daily Mail. "I was very disappointed with how they lost to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

"Afterwards, they showed a great reaction beating Chelsea and Tottenham. But to be a big club, you have to win trophies. They're very different to us [the Invincibles] in their approach – much more cautious and slower with the ball.

Lehmann has questioned the decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya (
Image:
Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"Physically, they run a lot more and have more high-intensity runs but they don't play faster than us because we were a one-touch team. They all take three, four touches at a time. And if you're too cautious in football, you can't win trophies.

"Most of the time, the bravest teams win the league. I would love them to win the title but that has cost them in certain games.

"It's 20 years since we won the league and I hope Arsenal win but it's not in their own hands anymore and that's a weakness."

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.